Amid the huge uproar in the Lok Sabha over the ‘flying kiss’ from Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, party sources said the party MP was gesturing to the Treasury Department benches in general and that was not intended. to any particular minister or parliamentarian.
“Rahul Gandhi gestured to the Treasury Department benches as he left with an air kiss as he called them brothers and sisters. He didn’t direct that to any particular minister or MP, and not at all. towards Union Minister Smriti Irani,” said a head of parliament.
Ms. Irani, who spoke during the no-confidence movement debate against the BJP government shortly after Gandhi, alleged that the MP had kissed him before leaving the House of Commons. “Whoever had a chance to speak in front of me showed rudeness before leaving. Only a man who despises women can kiss in front of a parliament with female MPs. Unworthy conduct. such is unheard of in the National Assembly of the country …” Ms. Irani said
Later, speaking to the media outside Parliament, she said “never before has a man’s contempt for women been so evident in Parliament”. “When the House of Commons, where legislation was made to protect the dignity of women, in a session witnessed the abuse of women by a man, my question was whether he should be prosecuted. reprimand or not?” she asked.
Union Minister and BJP leader Shobha Karandlaje said some female MPs had lodged complaints with Lok Sabha President Om Birla against Mr Gandhi.
